The Australian government is assisting Portugal after a tram-like funicular derailed and lost control, crashing into a building in the centre of Lisbon.

The accident on the popular tourist attraction left 18 injured, five in serious condition and killed at least 15 people onboard.

An unknown number of foreigners were among the deceased.

An investigation has been opened by the as a company’s operator, Carris to identify the cause of the accident.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs have not yet confirmed if any Australians were involved in the accident.

“Australian officials are making urgent enquiries following the tragic overnight crash of a cable railway vehicle in Lisbon, Portugal,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said in a conference.

It has been reported that the funicular sped down a street, before crashing into a building at top speed.

“It hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box; it had no brakes,” an eyewitness reported.

“It’s a tragic day for our city … Lisbon is in mourning, it is a tragic, tragic incident,” Carlos Moedas, mayor of the Portuguese capital, told reporters.

The Australian government expressed its “deepest sympathies” to those involved in the incident.

Photo: by Pietro Faccioli found HERE and used under a Creative Commons licence. The image has been cropped.